Here is an interesting tidbit I saw on Fox News this morning.  On this date in 1826, we lost our second and third president on the same day within hours of each other.   Monroe died on July 4 of 1831, and Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872.  I had no idea July 4th had such an intriguing tie-in to […]

This is another tidbit for my Canadian friends. On this date in 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City.  My French teacher in high school did her study in Quebec, so I have some affinity for this part of Canada. I have wanted to visit there, but I have no idea if I ever will. For more info: http://www.canadahistory.com/sections/eras/2%20worlds%20meet/champlain/Champlain.html http://www.mcq.org/place-royale/en/themes.php?id=2

I admit–I would be lost without this place of business.  On this date in 1962, the very first Walmart was opened by Sam Walton in Rogers,  Arkansas.   As of this year,  they are the largest global corporation with over two million employees.  I am not here to examine business products, policies, or where they get their products. While they will […]

Happy Independence Day,  Canada! On this date in 1867, Canada gained its independence.  I wish my Canadian friends well and a very happy holiday! For more info: http://www.canadahistory.com/sections/eras/confederation/july1-1867.htm

Today’s feature might help you win a million dollars some day.   On this date in 1921, President Harding appointed former President Taft to the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.   He was approved the same day, and became the only person to serve as president and chief justice.   I had no idea this had happened. For more info: […]

It was on this date in 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles was signed and technically brought an end to WWI.   This war began on the same date five years earlier.   Unfortunately,  this treaty did not bring about the true rest it promised.  As history shows, political unrest in Germany following this auspicious document enactment led to the rise of […]

On this date in 1898, after being gone for over three years,  Nova Scotia native Joseph Slocum returned from a solo circumnavigation of the globe.  This was the first time anyone had accomplished such a feat. His return was almost unnoticed due to the Spanish-American War.   When he wrote his book the following year,  people took notice.   In his later […]

I will never forget this story as long as I live,  and if you have ever read it,  you will probably concur.  On this date in 1948, Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery was published in the New Yorker.   Although it is now hailed as one of the most famous short stories in the U. S.   Initially, the reaction to the story […]

It was on this date in 1975, that Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal. It took a war against Portugal for this to happen,  and even after the war,  Mozambique was not truly free.  Democracy was not an option.  A Marxist state was established. For more info : http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozambican_War_of_Independence#Political_instability_and_ceasefire_.281974.E2.80.9375.29 http://www.war-memorial.net/Mozambique-War-of-Independence-3.155

It was on this date in 2012, that Lonesome George died.   Who was he?   I didn’t know either.   He was supposedly the last of the Pinta giant tortoises,  but they may have found others in recent times.   He had refused to mate in spite of valiant attempts. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinta_Island_tortoise http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonesome_George https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=486071030371&story_fbid=197705220356751